Where We Stand Going into Regionals

Here's a brief summary of the situation in each of the Sweet Sixteen regions, as we prepare to see who is going to the State Boys' Basketball Tournament:

First Region (at Murray State):
The two favorites -- Marshall County (26-5) and Graves County (23-8) will meet in the quarter-finals tomorrow night.

Second Region (at Hopkinsville):
Hopkinsville (28-4) was ranked number 4 in the state by the AP at the end of the regular season.  The Tigers will be overwhelming favorites to win the region.  Henderson County (24-5) may give them some trouble.

Third Region (at Owensboro Sportscenter):
Owensboro (18-10) and Ohio Co. (22-7) are the favorites.

Fourth Region (at W. Kentucky Univ.):
We won't get the usual showdown between Warren Central and Bowling Green, as they drew each other in the first round of the district tournament.  Warren Central (25-6) prevailed 59-55, and so they are likely going back to State.

Fifth Region (at Hart Co.):
John Hardin (25-3) was tied for sixth in the AP poll at the end of the regular season, and they will be heavily favored to win this region.

Sixth Region (at Louisville Valley H.S.):
At the end of the regular season, the AP poll had Bullitt East (28-4) number one in the state.  However, they will face stiff challenges from PRP (22-7) and Fairdale (18-10).

Seventh Region (at Louisville Valley H.S.):
The AP poll had Louisville Trinity (26-5) and Louisville Ballard (27-4) as the 2 and 3 teams in the state, respectively.  I personally think that whoever wins their showdown will be the state champions.

Eighth Region (at Henry County):
Collins (21-6) and South Oldham (21-7) are the highest teams in the Litkenhous Ratings, and they will meet in the quarterfinals.

Ninth Region (at N. Kentucky Univ.):
This should be a ding-dong tournament.  Covington Holmes (28-2), who tied for 6th in the last AP poll, was upset in the 35th District Final by Covington Catholic (25-6), 73-72.  As a result, Holmes will open with Newport Central Catholic (30-2), the AP's number 9 team.  The winner of that game will probably still have to survive CovCath.

Tenth Region (at Mason County):
The big story here is that long-time power Mason County was knocked out in the semi-finals of the 39th District by Augusta.  The second-biggest story is that Montgomery County (28-4), the AP's number 10 team in the State, should be headed for Rupp.

Eleventh Region (at E. Kentucky Univ.):
This tournament -- always one of the best in the state -- will probably feature Madison Central (25-5) (AP number 5) and Lexington Henry Clay (22-9) (AP number 8) in one semi-final.  The other semi-final will likely feature long-time powers Lexington Catholic (20-10) and Scott County (23-7).  I have no idea which of those four will eventually advance to Rupp.

Twelfth Region (at Lincoln Co.):
Wayne County (24-7) just beat Pulaski County 57-54 to open this tournament.  So the 12th final will probably feature Wayne County and Pulaski Southwestern (22-8).

Thirteenth Region (at Harlan Co.):
Corbin (24-7) was just eliminated by Middlesboro, 86-80.  The remaining favorites are Harlan County (23-7) and Clay County (23-6).

Fourteenth Region (at Letcher Co. Cent.):
This tournament usually comes down to Knott County Central (26-5) or Perry County Central (24-7), and it probably will again.

Fifteenth Region (at E. Kentucky Expo Center):
Johnson Central (20-10) has a pretty big edge in the Litkenhous Ratings.

Sixteenth Region (at Morehead State):
The favorites here are Fleming County (25-6), Russell (25-7), and Ashland Blazer (22-9).